ABOUT BTS
OUR MISSION
The mission of BTS is to establish effective ways to reach consumers while simultaneously meeting the specific, unique needs of the traveler by providing a comprehensive variety of specialized products and services. BTS is dedicated to identifying, developing and securing a comprehensive variety of providers to meet that need with superior quality service, convenience and value. Most of today’s travelers find it essential to convert the waiting time before a flight or during a layover into a more productive use of their time. Enjoy our entertainment offerings, pamper yourself with our personal services or shop at one of our unique retail shops.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
The principals of BTS have more than fifty years of combined airport retail sales, marketing and operations experience. The BTS business, retail and service centers currently rank among the best in the nation.
WILLIAM H. SWIFT
President & Founder
Business and Government Experience
Mr. Swift, with more than 30 years in airport operations, is an owner and president of Business Traveler Services, Inc. (BTS), a minority-owned business center development company.
Mr. Swift is also owner and president of Swift Services, Inc. an operator/consulting company for retail, food and beverage for such brands as Pepsi, T. G. I. Friday’s, Café Intermezzo, iTravel, XpresSpa, Savannah Candy Kitchen and BlackBerry. At the annual Airport Revenue News Conference, Mr. Swift received the award for Best New Specialty Retail Concept for BlackBerry.
Prior to forming BTS and Swift Services, Inc., Mr. Swift served as the Executive Director of Dobbs-Paschal Midfield Corporation (DPMC). He was responsible for the management of DPMC that administered the Principal Concessionaire Agreement for 110 concessions locations generating nearly $100 million in sales at Atlanta’s airport. Shortly after his term as Executive Director of DPMC, Mr. Swift operated an 18 unit group of Jack-in-the-Box franchise quick serve restaurants in San Antonio, Texas.
During the Maynard Jackson administration, Mr. Swift served as Director of Purchasing and Real Estate for the City of Atlanta. As Director, he implemented innovative programs and policies that resulted in significant minority and female participation in all procurement and construction with an emphasis on airport construction, professional services and concessions.
Bill also served two terms as Chair of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Prior to serving as Chair of AMAC, he served as 2nd and 1st Vice Chair, respectively, while simultaneously serving as the AMAC/FAA Annual Airport Business Diversity Conference Chair.
Education
William received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting (Cum Laude) from Central State University and an MBA degree, with a concentration in accounting, starting new business ventures and management of service operations, from Harvard Business School.
ANITA D. LEOPOLD
EVP/Founder
Business Experience
Anita Leopold brings 26 years of experience in airport concessions and operations. From onsite management, to design and construction, client advising and consulting, Ms. Leopold understands the airport industry from top to bottom. As an owner of Business Traveler Services, Inc. (BTS), she assisted her partners and team with the introduction of new concepts to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) and the travel industry, to successfully increase sales and customer satisfaction. Airport concession concepts introduced by the BTS team include Minute Suites, Automated Retail Vending, InMotion Entertainment, and others. She has also worked with the City of Atlanta’s Department of Security to bring awareness to the child sex trafficking industry affecting the city and the airport.
As the founder of Flying Leap Inc., Anita has built an ACDBE certified and woman-owned company specializing in airport employee uniforms and promotional items for airport related companies including SP Plus, and Avis/Budget, Jacobsen Daniels, and other airport retail concessions. Currently, Ms. Leopold services approximately 23 SP+ airport parking locations throughout the country. Ms. Leopold recently secured Arden’s Garden, a well-known juice and healthy food establishment as a new uniform client.
Prior to Anita's entrepreneurial pursuits in the airport industry, she was responsible
for the production of the Macy's-Egleston Children’s Hospital Christmas Parade
and Macy’s children’s events throughout the nation. After leaving Macy’s, Ms. Leopold
worked for the Atlanta Stadium Authority at Fulton County Stadium, where she
increased advertising sales revenues from $200,000 to $3M in two years. She then managed airport concessions for a local prime concessionaire before leaving and starting Business Traveler Services with her partner.
Personal
Outside of work, Anita enjoys attending pilates, traveling and interior design. She served on the board of youthSpark, an
organization created to bring awareness to the commercial, sexual exploitation of
children and to provide services to victims and survivors. She also volunteered to help raise money for her children’s school as chairperson of the Atlanta International School Spring Benefit.
Anita is one of eight children. She is married and is the proud mother of two
sons.
ROD
JACKSON
Operations Manager
Business Experience
Rod Jackson is an expert in customer service and management of airport businesses. He has over 15 years of experience as a manager of different concessions at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport International Airport including One Flew South located on Concourse E.
Under Rod’s supervision, the restaurant was named one of the top 10 airport restaurants in the country. His responsibilities included:
• inventory management
• training
• safety manager
• oversee repairs and service
• uniform consultant
• equipment manager
Rod’s success is based on his most known attribute, that is truly knowing the people on his team and in the airport. He is a problem solver and finds a solution to any issue. If he can’t help resolve a problem for himself or a team member, he will find someone that can.
He is an expert in the service and maintenance of automated retail stores. Duties include replenishment of product, service of machines and replacement of parts, weekly scheduling of technicians, and stockroom organization of back-stock inventory.